Frolov Device: Main Physiological Effects

There are various effects related to hypercapnic hypoxic training during and after application of the Frolov breathing device therapy.

Easy and Simple Way to Learn Diaphragmatic Breathing

It is easy to notice that sick people are generally chest breathers. Chest breathing reduces oxygenation of the arterial blood because lower portions of the lungs do not get new oxygen supply. (This and other additional abnormal effects of chest breathing are described in detail on the web page Chest Breathing Problems, Tests and Solutions). Generally, people switch to diaphragmatic unconscious breathing at rest, when their morning CP is about 30 seconds or more. Regardless of the health state and other details, Frolov device breathing sessions are done with strictly diaphragmatic breathing. Diaphragmatic breathing leads to numerous beneficial effects described above.

CO2-Related Effects

For people without ventilation-perfusion mismatch (over 80% of the sick)

Higher CO2 in the alveoli of the lungs increases CO2 content in the arterial blood. Since CO2 is powerful vasodilator (some research articles claim that it is the most powerful known vasodilator), breathing sessions improves blood supply to all vital organs of the human body. Additional CO2 also enhances the Bohr effect (more oxygen will be released by red blood cells in tissues). Since breathing exercises are done while using the diaphragm, most people will get immediate improvement in the oxygenation of the arterial blood (most modern people are chest breathers and, even though they overbreathe, their heavy chest breathing reduces oxygenation of the arterial blood since lower parts of the lungs do not participate in gas exchange.) Improved cell oxygenation reverses tissue hypoxia and generation of free radicals due to anaerobic energy production mechanism in cells’ mitochondria. This normalizes the work of the immune system (less cellular damage to repair). Additionally, improved metabolism of proteins and amino acids, normalizes production of the immune cells. Most importantly, since the breathing session can last up to 15-20 minutes, the breathing centre adapts to slower (less) breathing causing long-lasting increase in arterial blood CO2 content (for many hours after the session).

For people with ventilation-perfusion mismatch (severe asthma, COPD, emphysema, etc.)

These groups of patients have too high CO2 level in the arterial blood due to their main problem: dysfunctional alveoli that do not participate in gas exchange. The main physiological problem for them is insufficient oxygenation of the arterial blood and, as a result, too low level of oxygen in cells of the brain, heart and other vital organs. (Hence, these patients are among the first candidates for breathing supplemental oxygen 24/7).

Breathing through the device increases their CO2 content in the alveoli and airways (bronchi and bronchioles). Since CO2 is a powerful natural bronchodilator and breathing exercises are done with gentle mechanical stretching of the whole lungs (deep diaphragmatic breathing through the device with maximum inhalations and exhalations), the number of their alveoli that participates in gas exchange increases. Therefore, these patients can use finger or pulse oximeters to confirm that their blood oxygenation increases during and after a breathing session.

The main physiological effect of the breathing exercises for these people is improved lung functions and better oxygenation of the arterial blood. This leads to quick reduction in symptoms of their main disease, increased energy, improved focus, sleep, digestion and many other physiological and biochemical parameters. Their easier and lighter breathing will last for many hours due to the adaptation of the breathing centre to slower and more relaxed breathing.

Practical Measurements

The easiest way to measure the efficiency of the Frolov breathing device therapy is to measure and compare the initial and final CPs. Measure your CP just before the session and 1-2 min after finishing it. Practical experience suggests that the Frolov breathing therapy is superior to Buteyko breathing exercises by about 50-80%. Such advantage is possible due to variety of factors: mainly increased dead volume, large amplitude of diaphragmatic movements, and presence of positive resistance pressure during exhalation, all of which help to achieve higher CO2 concentrations in the alveoli of the lungs.

It is reasonable then, that the daily log for the Frolov breathing therapy exercises includes the initial and final CPs, as the key measured parameters of success. Most, but not all students also experience a significant and immediate reduction in heart rate, while the pulse gets lower later for other students.

In my view, the Frolov device is probably the most efficient known device for breathing exercises. Solidly based on Buteyko's theory of chronic hyperventilation and alveolar hypocapnia as foundations of many chronic diseases, the Frolov device combines best features of the Buteyko reduced breathing exercises, pranayama (from Hatha Yoga), PowerLung and pursed-lip (resistive) breathing.

Warning. Breathing exercises can cause powerful cleansing reactions and can be dangerous for pregnant women, people with organ transplants, GI problems, and panic attacks, as well as those who take medication for diabetes, hypertension, hypothyroidism, and other conditions. Consult your health care provider and follow special guidelines, which can be found in the Module Restrictions, limits, and temporary contraindications.

Related links and web pages (Frolov breathing device):
- Frolov breathing device - Overview and general information about the Frolov breathing device therapy
- Frolov device history and origins are connected with the Buteyko breathing technique
- Frolov device: How does it work explains the main physiological mechanism (hypercapnic hypoxic training)
- Frolov device effects describes its main clinical effects
- Acute asthma exacerbations clinical trial - Application of the Frolov device in a hospital setting
- COPD breathing exercises - Another clinical trial with application of the Frolov device on hospitalized patients with acute exacerbation of COPD
(*** More Trials: Under construction ***)
- Buy Frolov breathing device with 30 min online support from Dr. Artour Rakhimov
- How to Use Frolov Device (Instructions): Ultimate health restoration program (90 pages book in PDF and Kindle formats) with Dinamika instructions and lifestyle manuals included
- Prototypes of the Frolov breathing device: Breathslim (breathing device for weight loss) and Samozdrav (or Cosmic Breath/Cosmic Health)

Some facts about the Frolov Breathing Device:
- Over 300 health professionals (MDs, GPs or family physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, and other medical professionals) have been involved in studying, endorsing and promoting the Frolov breathing device and its application to their patients in Russia since the year 2000.

- More than 2,500,000 people in Russia could confirm that they have improved their health with the help of the Frolov Respiration Training Device, implying the goals set have been successfully achieved (http://www.intellectbreathing.com/)

- According to the results of clinical trials on children and adults and the long-term practical application of the device, it is a very efficient therapy against diseases of the respiratory, cardiovascular and nervous systems. The Frolov breathing exercises normalize oxygenation of the arterial blood, blood supply to the brain and myocardium, oxygenation of cells, the immune system, and metabolism, and improve lung function tests and abnormal blood parameters, including the hormonal profile. The exercises also improve energy level, sleep and digestion.

- Typical reduction in medication in clinical trials for bronchial asthma was about 60-80%. (Note that since correction of risk life style factors was not a part of the program, much better results are expected when the practicing person makes positive changes in this area.) Clinical trials also found reduced inflammation in airways and normalizations in the heart rate, electrocardiogram, blood pressure, cardiointervalography and renovasography measurements. The breathing device improved the removal of mucus and reduced coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.

- Systematic clinical trials and published medical studies with hundreds of patients have been conducted on the following health problems: bronchial asthma, bronchial asthma in children, bronchial asthma with weakness of respiratory muscles, hypertension, angina pectoris, chronic bronchitis, acute stages of bronchitis, emphysema, and diabetes. Apart from these investigations, medical reports have indicated positive effects on gastrointestinal problems, cystic fibrosis, psychological disorders, obesity, osteochondrosis, and some other conditions.

Reference pages: Breathing norms and medical facts:
- Breathing norms: Parameters, graph, and description of the normal breathing pattern
- 6 breathing myths: Myths and superstitions about breathing and body oxygenation (prevalence: over 90%)
- Hyperventilation: Definitions of hyperventilation: their advantages and weak points
- Hyperventilation syndrome: Western scientific evidence about prevalence of chronic hyperventilation in patients with chronic conditions (37 medical studies)
- Normal minute ventilation: Small and slow breathing at rest is enjoyed by healthy subjects (14 studies)
- Hyperventilation prevalence: Present in over 90% of normal people (24 medical studies)
- HV and hypoxia: How and why deep breathing reduces oxygenation of cells and tissues of all vital organs
- Body-oxygen test (CP test) : How to measure your own breathing and body oxygenation (two in one) using a simple DIY test
- Body oxygen in healthy: Results for the body-oxygen test for healthy people (27 medical studies)
- Body oxygen in sick : Results for the body-oxygen test for sick people (14 medical studies)
- Buteyko Table of Health Zones: Clinical description and ranges for breathing zones: from the critically ill (severely sick) up to super healthy people with maximum possible body oxygenation
- Morning hyperventilation: Why people feel worse and critically ill people are most likely to die during early morning hours

References: pages about CO2 effect:
- Vasodilation: CO2 expands arteries and arterioles facilitating perfusion (or blood supply) to all vital organs
- The Bohr effect: How and why oxygen is released by red blood cells in tissues
- Cell oxygen levels: How alveolar CO2 influences oxygen transport
- Oxygen transport: O2 transport is controlled by vasoconstriction-vasodilation and the Bohr effects, both of which rely on CO2
- Free radical generation: Reactive oxygen species are produced within cells due to anaerobic cell respiration caused by cell hypoxia
- Inflammatory response: Chronic inflammation in fueled by the hypoxia-inducible factor 1, while normal breathing reduces and eliminates inflammation
- Nerve stabilization: People remain calm due to calmative or sedative effects of carbon dioxide in neurons or nerve cells
- Muscle relaxation: Relaxation of muscle cells is normal at high CO2, while hypocapnia causes muscular tension, poor posture and, sometimes, aggression and violence
- Bronchodilation: Dilation of airways (bronchi and bronchioles) is caused by carbon dioxide, and their constriction by hypocapnia (low CO2)
- Blood pH: Regulation of blood pH due to breathing and regulation of other bodily fluids
- CO2: lung damage: Elevated carbon dioxide prevents lung injury and promotes healing of lung tissues
- CO2: Topical carbon dioxide can heal skin and tissues
- Synthesis of glutamine in the brain, CO2 fixation, and other chemical reactions
- Deep breathing myth: Ignorant and naive people promote the idea that deep breathing and breathing more air at rest is beneficial for health
- Breathing control: How is our breathing regulated? Why hypocapnia makes breathing uneven, irregular and erratic.

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